Elections
West Virginia 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The West Virginia 2026 congressional primary was held on May 12, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See West Virginia's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
West Virginia U.S. Senate Primary — Results
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner plurality contest.
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the West Virginia 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in West Virginia are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View West Virginia representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
West Virginia's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Shelley Moore Capito (R). Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
West Virginia's Primary System: Partisan Closed Primary
West Virginia holds a closed primary, meaning you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the registration deadline.
West Virginia 2026 Election Key Dates
| May 12, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in West Virginia
You must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent/unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register before the deadline. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare West Virginia's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the West Virginia 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Shelley Moore Capito won the Republican nomination with 66.5% of the vote, and Rachel Fetty Anderson won the Democratic nomination with 33.2%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in West Virginia in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Shelley Moore Capito (R) vs Rachel Fetty Anderson (D) for West Virginia's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the West Virginia primary election in 2026?
The West Virginia 2026 congressional primary is May 12, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the West Virginia primary if I'm not registered with a party?
You must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent/unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register before the deadline.
What is on the West Virginia 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in West Virginia are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Shelley Moore Capito (R). Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does West Virginia use?
West Virginia holds a closed primary, meaning you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the registration deadline.
When is the West Virginia voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Because West Virginia has a closed primary, you must also be registered with a party before the deadline to vote in a party primary. Check the West Virginia Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the West Virginia general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.